History of Locks
The Hobbs 6 lever design incorporating a sprung
loaded wiper and an anti-pressure device.
The Hobbs 7 lever lock with a flip-flop wiper
and of course the anti-pressure device.
The individual steps
are held in place with a
screw passing through
them. Undo the screw
and reassemble in a
different order; it was
as simple as that.
This version of the key,
slightly longer for evolving
door barrier technology,
still adjusted by releasing
a screw passing through
the bit segments was
fiddly for users.
A detachable bit version
whereby the complete
head of the key could be
exchanged for another preset
head. The individual
heads could still also be
reset in the traditional way.
The final development
where just the key steps
portion could be slid
out and replaced by
releasing a simple catch.
Top-of-the-range locks
have always been applied
to guard our most treasured
items; for instance during the
World War II London Blitz, the
Crown Jewels were removed
to another, undisclosed at
the time, safer location and
protected by strong doors
fitted with Parautoptics.
One final, but perhaps
oblique, thought; the essence
of the word Parautoptic:
‘Hidden from view’ could be
applied to various aspects of
our trade…
Hidden from View: Much
of the day to day working
practices and techniques in our
trade are industry privileged;
hard earned techniques of MLA
training are intended for trusted
professionals. The hidden
qualities of a locksmith also
include diplomacy, discretion,
and absolute trust.
Those that follow these
ramblings each issue will
know that in order not to
perpetuate inaccurate
information only those locks
that are on display in the MLA
Rugby Heritage Room or
the HoL reference collection
and documents in the HoL
Archive in Bournemouth
feature in these columns.
Don’t hesitate to make
contact if you spot anything
or can add something. In the
meantime I will try not to leave
it another 10 years before we
take a further look at these
fascinating iconic locks...
Brian Morland, curator of the
MLA Heritage Room in Rugby,
and the History of Locks
Archive in Bournemouth
welcomes comments on all
aspects of our trade, contact:
[email protected]
JUL/AUG 2020
59
Magazine Sponsor
Issue Takeover
locksmithjournal.co.uk